The victim family meets Congress leader in the presence of Sonia Gandhi; LoP assures all help in fight for justice
NEW DELHI — Describing the Delhi High Court’s bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar as “disappointing” and “shameful,” Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised the forcible removal of the Unnao rape survivor by security forces from India Gate.
The rape victim and her mother were protesting against Monday’s court order suspending the life sentence of the convict and former BJP leader Sengar. The paramilitary personnel had not allowed the girl and her mother to address the media and also forced the elderly woman to jump off a moving bus.
“Is such treatment of a gang rape survivor appropriate? Is her ‘fault’ that she has the courage to raise her voice for justice?” Gandhi wrote on X.
The Congress leader said Sengar committed t the crime in June 2017 and was convicted in December 2019, months after the Supreme Court shifted the trial from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi.
“Bail for rapists and treating survivors like criminals—what kind of justice is this?” Gandhi asked.
The protesting victim and her mother later met Rahul Gandhi, hours after they were manhandled by the Central paramilitary personnel. The meeting took place at the 10 Janpath Road residence of Sonia Gandhi, a day after Gandhi returned from his visit to Germany. Sonia Gandhi was also present at the meeting, which went on for over an hour.
Sources said Rahul Gandhi has given her the assurance that the case will be escalated, justice will be delivered. They will extend all possible help to the family.
Sengar, who has challenged his conviction in the rape case, will be out of jail till court reaches a decision on his appeal.
The court’s decision has generated massive controversy, with the Opposition vehemently criticising the Centre.
Calling the court decision “completely shocking”, the survivor said, “We have gone so many years back and forth with the judiciary and this is what the outcome is? We only want one thing, justice. We will appeal to the Supreme Court”.
At the meeting with Gandhi, she said she has full faith in the Supreme Court. The survivor has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed her wish to meet him.
The family had three key requests to Gandhi: A top lawyer to fight against Sengar in the Supreme Court; relocation to a Congress-ruled state as they fear being murdered; and a job for the woman’s husband. Gandhi has reportedly agreed to help on all points.
